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 Barnes & Noble Not quite as flamboyant as its subject, this engrossing biographical film offers a serious, thoughtful look at legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, whose appearance and mannerisms are replicated to an uncanny degree by 2002 Academy Award nominee Will Smith. Ali doesn’t attempt to chronicle the champ’s entire life; it focuses on a ten-year period, beginning in 1964, when Ali (still known as Cassius Clay) wins the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston, and ending after the famous 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" with George Foreman. Ali’s relationships with confidant Drew "Bundini" Brown (played by Jamie Foxx), sportscaster Howard Cosell (Jon Voight), activist Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles), and trainer Angelo Dundee (Ron Silver) are never completely spelled out, and the primary women in his life during that period -- played by Jada Pinkett Smith and Nona Gaye -- also get short shrift from the screenwriters. This elliptical approach might have stymied a lesser director, but Michael Mann (The Insider) manages to capture Ali’s essence even as he skips over interesting facets of the champ’s career. Mann’s Ali is not merely the spontaneous jokester or the comically arrogant self-promoter many people remember: He’s also seen as subdued and meditative, and deeply committed to his religious beliefs even after his Nation of Islam allies turn against him. Smith, who bulked up considerably for the role, is quite convincing in the scenes re-creating Ali’s famous title bouts, but Ali isn’t a boxing movie. It’s the fascinating story of a man who both changed his times and was changed by them. Ed HulseBarnes & Noble Interested in the song lyrics? - Check out themostlyrics.com! Looking For A DVD? - Check out dvd-a-rama.com! |
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